{{Short description|Clothing brand }} '''Phat Farm''' is a clothing brand that was founded by Russell Simmons in 1992.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Sam |date=2017-11-30 |title=Russell Simmons' Apparel Line, Phat Farm, Died Long Before His Reputation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/russell-simmons-apparel-line-phat-farm-died-long-before-his-reputation-1063102/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Phat Farm was known for its bold and colorful designs that married classic preppy style with hip-hop culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Nike to Nautica, Here Are the 90s Brands that Defined the Decade |url=https://www.complex.com/style/the-best-brands-of-the-90s |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref>
== History == Phat Farm was established in 1992 by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings.<ref name=":0" /> The brand was initially a men's clothing line and sold clothing items such as T-shirts, jeans, and jackets.
The brand's early success was attributed to its association with hip-hop culture, which was growing in popularity at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phat fashion |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-04-20-0404210092-story.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Chicago Tribune|date=20 April 2004 }}</ref> Phat Farm became a recognizable name in urban fashion and expanded its product offerings to include women's clothing as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeCarlo |first=Lauren |date=2006-04-20 |title=Phat Farm Sets Mideast Growth |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/phat-farm-sets-mideast-growth-538104/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2004, Phat Farm was sold to the Kellwood Company for a reported $140 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rozhon |first=Tracie |date=2004-01-09 |title=Phat Fashions Is Being Sold To Kellwood for $140 Million |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/09/business/phat-fashions-is-being-sold-to-kellwood-for-140-million.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Despite the change in ownership, the brand continued to develop and remained popular with hip-hop fans and urban fashion enthusiasts until 2010, when the excess of early 2000's popular culture became passé.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2019-03-12 |title=A brief history of Baby Phat, the cult 00s label bringing sexy back |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/43682/1/baby-phat-cult-00s-y2k-fashion-label-hip-hop-kimora-lee-simmons-lil-kim-aaliyah |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref>
== Legacy and future == Phat Farm's popularity began to decline in the late 2000s as the urban fashion market shifted away from excess towards more minimalist and streetwear-inspired styles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Nia |date=2016-01-11 |title=Where Did These Hip-Hop Clothing Labels Go? |url=https://www.racked.com/2016/1/11/10737956/hip-hop-brands-fubu-sean-john-rocawear-phat-farm |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Racked |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, Simmons announced that he would be stepping down as CEO of Phat Fashions, the parent company of Phat Farm, to focus on other business ventures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) |first=Grouchy Greg |date=2007-08-24 |title=Russell Simmons Steps Down As CEO Of Phat Fashions |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/russell-simmons-steps-down-as-ceo-of-phat-fashions/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2002, former wife and business partner of Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, reacquired the Phat Farm label. In the holiday season of 2022, Phat Farm was relaunched as part of a capsule collection with American fashion retailer Forever 21.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hargrove |first=Channing |title=The Under-$25 Baby Phat x Forever 21 Items You'll See Everywhere This Summer |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/235280/baby-phat-forever-21-collaboration |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=www.refinery29.com |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Clothing brands of the United States